Wrestlemania: One Hit Wonders

By Kevin Hunsperger 
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to My 1-2-3 Cents the Podcast right here!

As we're gearing up for Wrestlemania this week, I'm taking a time to reflect on past events.  We have plenty of coverage of Wrestlemania 31 right here, but I wanted to go back to the start of it all and remember a few "one hit wonders".  Don't get me wrong, one hit wonders are not a bad thing with this blog.  These are just a few of the men and women of WWE history who I can remember competing in just one Wrestlemania and winning.  I did not count celebrity appearances, otherwise we'd be here all day.

Kerry Von Erich pins Dino Bravo
Photo courtesy: WWE

My first pick is one of my all-time favorites, Kerry Von Erich.  His one and only Mania came in 1991 at Wrestlemania VII.  As the Texas Tornado, Kerry did battle with Dino Bravo in the second match on the card.  It was short and sweet, but the former Intercontinental and NWA World Heavyweight champion overcame the Canadian strongman, pinning him in just over three minutes.  Sadly less than two years after this match, both men were had lost their lives. Like most fans, I often wonder what would have become of Kerry's career.  He had so much talent, and I don't think a run as WWF heavyweight champion would have been out of the question.

Sapphire, Dusty Rhodes and Elizabeth
Photo courtesy: WWE

Kerry wasn't the only former NWA  champion to wrestle at a Wrestlemania.  There are countless others, including "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.  He teamed up with Sapphire to battle "Macho King" Randy Savage and Sensational Queen Sherri at Wrestlemania VI.  With the support of Savage's former manager, Dusty and Sapphire beat the royal duo.  It was a strong showing for the Dream in this new feud with Savage, but the King would end up coming out on top when the war was over.  Sapphire too needs to be included as this match was her debut with WWE and only Wrestlemania match.

Alundra Blayze pins Leilani Kai
Photo courtesy: WWE

Alundra Blayze will be enshrined in the WWE Hall of Fame this year and 21 years ago she defended the WWF Women's Championship at Wrestlemania X.  In a throwback to Wrestlemania, Blayze defeated former champion Leilani Kai.  This match was also pretty quick, ending in just over three minutes.  Blayze's time in WWE was short too, but she helped to reestablish women's wrestling within the company having some classic battles with Bull Nakano.

The Steiners and "Mean" Gene
Photo courtesy: WWE

I thought Scott Steiner had competed in singles competition at Wrestlemania after the WCW buyout, but I'm wrong.  His only match at Wrestlemania happened in Las Vegas at Wrestlemania IX.  He and brother Rick beat the Headshrinkers.  I remember this being a pretty good match as both teams had had some intense battles in their days in the NWA.  I do wish the Steiners would have fit better into the WWE lineup back then, but this was just not meant to be a long term deal.

The Funks beat Junkyard Dog & Tito Santana
Photo courtesy: WWE

When I started to write this I was going to include Dory AND Terry Funk based on their one match at Wrestlemania 2.  Then I remembered Terry reemerged in WWE in 1998 to team with Cactus Jack under the name Chainsaw Charlie.  So just Dory gets the one hit wonder status as he and Terry beat Junkyard Dog and Tito Santana in the Los Angeles portion of Wrestlemania 2.  His time in WWE was mostly forgettable, but the legendary former NWA champ has a Wrestlemania victory to his credit.

Goldberg battles Brock Lesnar
Photo courtesy: WWE

More than ten years ago Goldberg finally had his Wrestlemania moment beating Brock Lesnar in a dismal match at Wrestlemania XX.  The fans at Madison Square Garden turned on both men after reports surfaced neither would be continuing their careers with WWE.  The saving grace of this match was special guest referee "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.  He delivered a pair of Stone Cold Stunners when the contest was over.

I know I'm missing some, but these are a few of my favorites and the ones who immediately came to mind.  Who are your favorite "one time wonders" of Wrestlemania?